“Dude, hold that thought…babe action, 3 o’clock.”
Fun Fact: There are many student volunteers who help make these programs successful (@wcuupprogram has 244 this semester!!). They will study for exams with the participants, help them navigate campus life and find their classes at the beginning of the school year, give them rides, be their mentors.
Mentoring relationships generally focus on “the growth and accomplishment of an individual, assisting in professional and career development, role modeling, psychological
support, and the development of personal and reciprocal relationships.”
Most of the volunteers don’t feel like volunteers, though. They feel a true friendship and bond, and some have even found their passion and changed their major, finding inspiration in unexpected places.
Grayson Coleman, a volunteer for the WCU UP program, said, “The UP program has made college more enjoyable for me. It has helped me find myself and uncover a passion I didn’t even realize I had. When you’re having a bad day, they’ll pick you up. If no one that day has asked you, “how’s your day going?”, they will.
The students will thank you, thank you and thank you time and time again – but I thank them, each and every one of them.. For helping me find my inner-self, for loving me on my good days and my bad days, for welcoming me with open arms. It’s just a feeling you get within yourself when you see their faces light up when they see you. They’ve impacted my life just as much as I’ve impacted theirs, if not more. My heart is completely full and content.”
You see, inclusion isn’t just for the person being included. It benefits the entire community and everyone’s lives are impacted in such a beautiful way. Happy Monday Y’all!!